Sexual Respect and Title IX

Title IX is a federal law expressed via Roosevelt University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and was created to protect the entire university community from any discrimination based on gender or sex. The laws and university policy also apply to other third parties within the University’s control, including visitors who are present on campus. In Roosevelt's Sexual Misconduct Policy, sexual misconduct is defined to include, but is not limited to, the following:

Any act of sexual misconduct is a violation of the University’s Code of Student Conduct, Sexual Misconduct Policy, and Anti-Harassment Policy. The Office of Title IX Compliance is responsible for investigating all reports of sexual misconduct where a faculty, staff or a student is involved. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for receiving all reports and ensuring the incident(s) are investigated. When sexual misconduct of any kind occurs, the Title IX outcome will focus accountability, prevention of future occurrences, and on providing accommodations for the individual(s) affected by the offense, such as:

Assistance with housing or academic needs

Establishing safety measures to protect the individual

Establishing safety measures to protect other affected community members

This policy applies to sexual misconduct:

On and off of University premises, in the case of any member of the University community is involved

At University-sponsored activities

That takes place online via social media and any other technological mechanisms

That has an adverse impact on the education or employment of a member of the University community

Otherwise threatens the health and/or safety of a member of the University community

Office of Title IX Compliance

Title IX Coordinator- The Title IX Coordinator reports to the University President and oversees the entire Title IX function of University which includes the education and training component, as well as the University’s centralized review, investigation, and resolution process for reports of sexual misconduct and the University’s compliance with Title IX. The Title IX Coordinator will appoint deputy coordinators and investigators who are trained in state and federal laws that apply to matters of sexual discrimination, as well as University policy and procedure. In all matters related to Title IX, it is the role of the Title IX Coordinator to facilitate the decision-making of the University.

Deputy Coordinator- “Deputy Title IX Coordinator” serves as a resource person to the parties of a case (reporting and responding parties). Once an act of potential sexual misconduct is reported, and before an investigation begins, the parties of the case may be assigned to meet with a Deputy Title IX Coordinator who will explain the investigative process, review the party’s rights, talk about interim measures that may be needed, and work with the University to implement interim measures. The deputy can also serve as a support and resource person to a party throughout the investigatory process. At the party’s request, the deputy may accompany the party during an investigative interview or when meeting with faculty or other departments on educational and services challenges related to the case. The assignment of a deputy will be based on equity, personnel availability, and case specifics; and if a deputy is assigned to one party, it will automatically be assigned to the other(s).

Toyia Stewart

Confidential Advisor - A person affiliated with the university, but reserves the privilege to keep confidential any emergency and ongoing support they provide to Roosevelt University students, staff, and faculty who are survivors of sexual violence. The Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act grants confidential advisors the right to provide confidential services to and have privileged, confidential communications with survivors. Thus, the advisor is not a “responsible employee” who would be otherwise obligated to report the sexual violence. Annually, Confidential Advisors receive a minimum of 40 hours of training. They assist survivors by providing reporting options and possible outcomes, sharing resources and services, informing survivors of their rights as well as the University’s responsibilities regarding orders of protection and no contact orders, and helping the survivor understand the sexual misconduct investigatory process. The Confidential Advisor is able to liaise with campus officials, community-based sexual assault crisis centers, and local law enforcement, as well as assist with securing interim protective measures and accommodations for the survivor. Services provided by a confidential advisor must be initiated by the survivor by contacting an advisor at the phone numbers provided below.

To report an incident involving sexual misconduct, any member of the Roosevelt community may contact the University Title IX Coordinator via the communication mechanisms below. RU offers reporters (regardless of being a bystander, third party, or direct party to the issue) opportunity to report electronically, anonymously, and privately. People working in these offices will assist any reporter with notifying local police if they so desire.

Campus Safety

Chicago Police

At the Chicago Campus, the Chicago Police Department may also be reached directly by calling 911, or in person at the 1st. District-Central Station, 1718 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60616. Additional information about the Chicago Police Department may be found online at: www.chicagopolice.org.

At the Schaumburg Campus, the Schaumburg Police Department may be reached directly by calling 911, or in person at 1000 W. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60194. Additional information about the Schaumburg Police Department may be found online at: www.ci.schaumburg.il.us

In order to preserve evidence for the police, a person who experiences a sexual assault should not bathe, douche, smoke, change clothing, or clean the bed/linen/area where the assault took place. Evidence can be collected in 96 hours (or four days) after an offense occurs. In Illinois, forensic evidence may still be collected even if the individual chooses not to make a police report. However, a person does need to provide their name to the health care provider. If the victim chooses not to file a police report within two weeks, evidence collected will be destroyed by the collecting institution. In circumstances of sexual assault, if individual(s) do not opt for forensic evidence collection, health care providers can still treat injuries and take steps to address concerns of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections. These services are provide free of charge, under the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act in the State of Illinois (http://www.icasa.org/index.aspx?PageID=598)

Individuals who have experienced sexual misconduct are encouraged to also preserve evidence by saving text messages, instant messages, social networking pages, or other communications, and keeping pictures, logs, or other copies of documents that would useful to University investigators or police. Although the University strongly encourages all members of its community to report violations of this policy to law enforcement, it is the individual’s choice whether or not to make such a report and individual(s) have the right to decline involvement with the police. The University will respect and support the decision of the reporting party.

Roosevelt University complies with Illinois law in recognizing orders of protection and no contact orders (Domestic Violence Order of Protection, Sexual Assault Civil No Contact Order, and Stalking No Contact Order). Any person who obtains an order of protection from Illinois or any state should provide a copy to Campus Safety and the Office of Title IX Compliance. A reporting party may then meet with Campus Safety to develop a Safety Action Plan, which is a plan for campus safety and the victim to reduce risk of harm while on campus or coming and going from campus. This plan may include, but is not limited to: escorts, special parking arrangements (Schaumburg Campus), changing classroom locations or allowing a student to complete assignments from home, etc. Orders of protection and no contact orders may be obtained by contacting the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk at 312-325-9468, Monday through Friday, during normal business hours, 8:30am-4:30pm.

To the extent of the reporting and responding parties cooperation and consent, university offices, including the Office of Title IX Compliance, The Dean of Students Office, Office of Residence Life, and Campus Safety will cooperate to ensure that the reporting and responding party’s health, physical safety, work and academic status are protected, pending the outcome of a formal university investigation of the complaint. For example, if reasonably available, a reporting party may be offered changes to academic, living or working situations in addition to counseling, health services and assistance in notifying local law enforcement. The Dean of Students Office, Residence Life, Human Resources and Campus Safety work together to provide accommodations.

Additionally, personal identifiable information about parties involved will be treated as confidential and only shared with persons with specific need to know who are investigating/adjudicating the complaint or delivering resources or support services. The University does not publish the name of crime victims nor hour identifiable information regarding survivors in the Campus Safety Department’s Daily Crime Log. People who do not want “directory information” to be disclosed must notify the Office of the Registrar by completing a “request to Withhold Directory Information” form located at https://www.roosevelt.edu/registrar/forms.

Resources for Involved Parties of Sexual Misconduct

All parties involved with instances of sexual misconduct have access to resources on and off campus. The Party Rights and Resources for Responding to Sexual Misconduct document is a comprehensive list of campus offices and community organizations available to assist in navigating various capacities of one’s life including but not limited to medical attention, legal assistance, and financial services.

Sexual Respect Committee

Roosevelt University takes Title IX very seriously. A team of incredibly smart and dedicated faculty, staff, and students has been assembled to conduct a deep-dive analysis of the University’s current policies, procedures, and educational programming centered around Sexual Respect and Title IX. It is not enough for Roosevelt University to simply be in compliance with state and federal regulations; but we strive to make certain that our culture and policies demonstrate our social justice mission and is in compliance with all regulations that govern interpersonal conduct on campus.

Roosevelt University is a national leader in educating socially conscious citizens for active and dedicated lives as leaders in their professions and their communities.